About 2,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Durham, according to city estimates, and at least a third of them are in families with children. While the exact number is hard to pin down, local leaders shared messages of hope and optimism during Blacknall’s “Loving Our Neighbors: A Community Conversation on Homelessness in Durham” on Friday, Nov. 6. About 75 people attended the panel discussion in the Sanctuary, which covered how ministry partners like Families Moving Forward and Housing for New Hope support people in Durham, and how the city’s new initiatives aim to make homelessness rare and brief.
Pastor Goodie Bell led the conversation with these panelists:
Anthony Henderson, Manager, Durham’s Housing Opportunities and Pathways Engagement Team
Tasha Melvin, Executive Director, Families Moving Forward
Russell Pierce, Executive Director, Housing for New Hope
Carl Rist, At-Large Council Member, Durham City Council
Tasha and Russell talked about how their organizations help people in need get back on their feet through temporary housing, skills education like financial literacy, and affordable housing programs. Anthony and Carl spoke about city programs and efforts to prioritize affordable housing, which is scarce: fewer than 10% of housing units in Durham now rent for $800 a month or less. When they city adopted a new plan to address homelessness this summer, it included up to a year of follow-up case management to help people retain housing, work toward financial independence, and even connect to medical care.
Blacknall member Peter Cvelich said that hearing local leaders describe the scope of homelessness in Durham made it clear that more can be done, both by individuals and by the community. Beyond programs and policies, he said he wants to learn more about how congregations like Blacknall can help.
“Before people were homeless, they were housed in some way,” Peter said. “So, how can we help them maintain their stability before they deal with the scaling effects of being displaced?”
Part of that answer can come from getting involved with local organizations. Member Anne Paulson said Blacknall is in a great position to help through ministry partners like Families Moving Forward and Housing for New Hope, as well as the Emanuel Food Pantry (which operates out of Iglesia Emanuel) and the Walltown Neighborhood Ministries food pantry.